The Orca Ex soon appeared on the horizon.
Its enormous silhouette descended toward the water, engines humming as it hovered just above the waves.
The submarine surfaced beneath it.
Belfast stepped out through the hatch first, followed by Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Kancolle Akashi, Kancolle Prinz Eugen and Asahi.
The rescued Shipgirls immediately stared upward.
Even after everything they had witnessed during the rescue, the sheer size of the Orca Ex left them speechless.
It wasn't simply a transport aircraft.
It was enormous.
And it was hovering directly above the ocean.
Then the rear hatch opened.
A familiar figure appeared.
"Over here, nyaa!"
Edinburgh blinked.
Glasgow stared.
Newcastle tilted her head.
Akashi's eyes widened.
Standing at the entrance was the GDI's Akashi.
Beside her were Blücher and Lützow—who had practically begged Akashi to let them tag along.
Kancolle Akashi stared.
"That's me?!"
The green-haired, cat-eared Akashi immediately looked toward her counterpart.
"Nyaa!"
She practically scurried down the ramp.
The Kancolle Akashi stared at the tiny green-haired girl approaching her.
She had cat ears.
A tail.
And an unmistakably feline manner of speaking.
"Nyaa! You're taller than me, nyaa!"
Akashi blinked.
"I... suppose I am."
The GDI Akashi proudly placed her hands on her hips.
"I am Akashi, nyaa!"
She pointed at herself.
"GDIS Akashi!"
"Former Sakura Empire repair ship, nyaa!"
"Now, one of GDI's top doctor nyaa!"
Kancolle Akashi couldn't help staring.
"I'm Akashi as well... A repair ship as well."
She looked the smaller girl up and down.
"I'm from Japan."
She paused.
"Wow."
She leaned closer.
"This is weird."
"You have cat ears."
"And a tail."
"And you're really small."
"Nyaa!"
GDI Akashi puffed her cheeks.
"A different Japan, nyaa!"
She tilted her head.
"Shikikan-sama said he's from Japan too, nyaa!"
"But I'm sure it's not the same Japan, nyaa."
She stared at her counterpart.
"You're a tall version of me, nyaa!"
Her eyes moved downward.
"You even have a chest, nyaa..."
Kancolle Akashi immediately covered her chest.
Akashi's expression became increasingly jealous.
"Akashi is jealous, nyaa..."
Belfast sighed.
"Akashi..."
"Nyaa?"
"Please behave."
GDI Akashi immediately saluted.
"Yes, Belfast, nyaa!"
She turned toward the rescued Shipgirls.
"Welcome back, nyaa!"
"The Shikikan would greet you himself, but he's quite busy."
"Akashi came instead, nyaa!"
Her eyes suddenly widened.
"Edinburgh, nyaa!"
"Newcastle and Glasgow, too!"
The three Town-class maids smiled.
"Akashi!"
They immediately surrounded the little repair ship.
"Our maids are home, nyaa!"
Akashi was nearly buried beneath the three reunited maids.
"Nyaa! Careful!"
She laughed.
Then she looked toward Kancolle Akashi again.
"Nyaa..."
She tilted her head.
"So you're really Kancolle Akashi."
She smiled.
"You're quite a beauty, nyaa."
Kancolle Akashi smiled awkwardly.
"You as well."
She hesitated.
"Umm..."
Her eyes moved toward the cat ears.
"Are those ears of yours real?"
GDI Akashi's ears immediately perked up.
"Nyaa!"
She leaned forward enthusiastically.
"Want to try touching them, nyaa?"
"They're real."
Kancolle Akashi's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Nyaa!"
Akashi nodded proudly.
"Go ahead, nyaa."
The Kancolle repair ship slowly reached toward one of the fluffy ears.
GDI Akashi smiled.
"Nyaa..."
"Oh, this is Asahi."
Kancolle Akashi gestured toward the calm brown-haired repair ship.
"A repair ship from Japan as well."
Asahi stepped forward and gave a polite bow.
"I am Asahi. Pleased to meet you, other Akashi."
GDI Akashi's eyes widened.
"Nyaa! Another repair ship?!"
Her tail immediately began wagging.
"Two new doctors, nyaa!"
She happily approached Asahi.
"Please to meet you as well, Asahi-san!"
Asahi blinked.
"That's..."
She glanced toward Belfast.
"...quite an energetic Akashi."
Belfast sighed.
"You'll get used to her."
"Nyaa!"
Akashi proudly puffed out her chest.
"I am a very hardworking doctor, nyaa!"
Before Asahi could respond, Belfast noticed two more figures descending the Orca Ex's rear ramp.
"Oh, this is..."
She paused.
"Blücher and Lützow."
The two German battleships stepped down onto the ramp.
Blücher immediately waved enthusiastically.
"Ah, welcome back, everyone!"
Lützow gave a more composed greeting.
"Welcome back."
GDI Akashi looked toward them.
"Blücher, nyaa..."
She pointed toward the Orca Ex.
"You're supposed to be resting, nyaa."
Blücher simply smiled.
"I wanted to meet my counterpart sister."
She looked past Akashi.
Then froze.
Her eyes landed on Kancolle Prinz Eugen.
Kancolle Prinz Eugen immediately shrieked and instinctively hid behind Asahi.
"Eep!"
Blücher's eyes widened.
Lützow also stared.
For a moment, neither sister said anything.
Then Blücher stepped forward.
"You're different from our teasing little sister!"
Kancolle Prinz Eugen nervously stepped out from behind Asahi.
"Ah... I..."
She fidgeted with her hands.
"Umm... I am Prinz Eugen, from Germany."
She gave a small bow.
"Pleased to meet you, Elder Sister Blücher and Lützow."
"Please treat me well."
Blücher's expression immediately melted.
"She's so timid!"
She looked toward Lützow.
"And soft-spoken!"
Then she turned back toward Eugen.
"She's really cute!"
Blücher smiled brightly.
"Just like our littlest sister!"
Kancolle Prinz Eugen blushed.
"Eep..."
Lützow examined her carefully.
"She's certainly different from our Eugen."
Then her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Wait."
She looked at Eugen's hair.
"Those features..."
Blücher also noticed.
"Green eyes."
"And that peach-blonde hair."
Lützow nodded.
"She has the features of our elder sister."
Kancolle Prinz Eugen looked confused.
"Your elder sister?"
Blücher laughed.
"That's right!"
She looked toward Eugen with a huge smile.
"You're timid, soft-spoken and adorable."
She crossed her arms.
"You're practically Hipper's ideal little sister!"
"Eep!"
Eugen's face became even redder.
Kancolle Akashi turned toward her counterpart.
"That's...?"
GDI Akashi nodded.
"Nyaa..."
"They're Admiral Hipper's sisters, nyaa."
She pointed toward Blücher.
"Second ship, Blücher."
Then toward Lützow.
"Third ship, Lützow."
"Though she stayed in the Northern Parliament for years and gained the name Tallin, nyaa."
Lützow gave a small nod.
"That's correct."
Akashi continued.
"The youngest sister in our world is Prinz Eugen, nyaa."
She glanced toward the shy Kancolle Eugen.
"Akashi admits she's quite different from our Eugen, nyaa."
She paused.
"The teasing, big-chest Eugen."
Kancolle Prinz Eugen stared at her.
"Ah..."
Asahi nodded thoughtfully.
"I see."
Blücher suddenly leaned closer to her counterpart.
"So you're really our little sister from another world?"
Eugen nodded nervously.
"Yes..."
Blücher's smile became even wider.
"Then welcome home, little sister!"
Eugen blinked.
"Home...?"
Blücher nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course!"
Lützow smiled more gently.
"You may come from another world."
"But you're still our sister."
Prinz's eyes softened.
For years, she had wondered what it would be like to meet the counterparts of the sisters she never had in her own world.
Now she finally understood.
Different world.
Different history.
Different people.
But somehow...
They still felt like family.
"But we can't call her Eugen," Lützow spoke. "That name already belongs to our teasing little sister."
She smiled toward the shy Shipgirl.
"We can call you Prinz instead. Eugen will be thrilled to meet you."
Prinz blinked.
"I heard she's quite a teaser."
"Don't worry," Blücher said cheerfully. "She might be a teaser, but that's how she shows her love."
She grinned.
"Plus, with you around, she might finally get upgraded to a big sister."
Lützow nodded.
"Hipper would love having you around."
"Ah, yes..."
Prinz shyly looked down.
She really was different from the Eugen of this world.
Nearby, Lützow noticed the three Town-class maids.
"Ah, Glasgow, Newcastle and Edinburgh."
She smiled.
"It's nice seeing you three again."
"Likewise," Edinburgh replied with a warm smile.
She looked between Blücher and Lützow.
"So all the Admiral Hipper-class sisters are reunited?"
"Yes."
Lützow nodded.
"Big Sister and Eugen were found a few days before you."
She glanced toward Prinz.
"Then we have our newest little sister today."
Blücher immediately pulled Prinz into a warm hug.
"Welcome to the family!"
"Ah... Elder Sister..."
Prinz shyly looked down as Blücher hugged her.
She couldn't help feeling a little overwhelmed.
She really was different from Eugen.
But somehow, being accepted so quickly made her feel strangely comfortable.
Belfast watched the reunion with a gentle smile.
"Ladies, let's carry on back to the Daedalus."
She looked toward her sisters and the newly rescued Shipgirls.
"Our sisters here are tired and hungry, and they need treatment."
Akashi's ears immediately perked up.
"Nyaa!"
She raised her hand.
"Let's get them aboard, nyaa!"
She turned toward the Orca Ex.
"Straight to the medical chamber, nyaa!"
Then she looked toward Belfast.
"Bel-chan! Help Akashi, nyaa!"
"Certainly."
Belfast stepped forward.
She guided Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle toward the aircraft.
Blücher continued holding Prinz's hand as they followed.
Asahi followed behind them, while Kancolle Akashi walked beside her counterpart, still occasionally glancing at Akashi's ears and tail with fascination.
Ade, Soda, Cocoa and Arisa followed as well.
Once everyone was aboard, the Orca Ex's rear hatch closed.
The enormous aircraft slowly rose above the submarine.
A magnetic coupling system extended from beneath the Orca Ex.
CLANK.
The magnet locked onto the submarine's hull.
"Magnetic connection established, nyaa!" Akashi announced.
The Orca Ex began carrying the submarine beneath it.
The rescued Shipgirls stared through the windows as the vessel they had used to escape their prison was lifted from the water.
For years, they had been forced to run from one place to another.
Now they were being carried toward a real home.
Belfast stood beside her sisters.
Edinburgh looked through the window at the open ocean.
Glasgow leaned against the wall with a tired smile.
Newcastle quietly watched the horizon.
Prinz looked toward Blücher and Lützow.
Asahi and Kancolle Akashi exchanged curious glances with their counterparts.
And somewhere ahead of them waited the Daedalus.
A new home.
A new fleet.
A new family.
The Orca Ex accelerated toward the horizon, carrying the rescued Shipgirls—and their long-awaited future—back to the GDI carrier.
Akashi immediately led Edinburgh, Newcastle and Glasgow toward the medical bay.
"Come on, nyaa! Akashi will get you three checked out properly, nyaa!"
Prinz followed them toward another medical bed.
She looked at the strange device with uncertainty.
"What is this?"
Akashi grinned.
"GDI's most expensive and advanced hospital bed, nyaa! We call it the Med Bay."
She helped Prinz onto it.
"It can heal almost anything, regenerate damaged tissue and even treat mental trauma, nyaa! Even destroy cancer cells, nyaa!"
Belfast helped Edinburgh onto the neighboring bed.
Prinz stared at the machine.
"That's impossible."
She looked at the advanced equipment surrounding her.
"Back home, we need specialized machines just to rebuild our bodies."
Akashi shook her head.
"Same thing, nyaa!"
"Only this one can do all of that by itself, nyaa!"
The medical bed activated.
MEDICAL SCAN INITIATED.
A soft light passed over Prinz's body.
PHYSICAL DAMAGE: DETECTED.
CELLULAR DAMAGE: DETECTED.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA: DETECTED.
Prinz's eyes widened.
Then the machine began working.
The injuries she had accumulated during years of captivity gradually disappeared.
Her body was restored.
The exhaustion weighing on her mind began fading as well.
Beside her, Edinburgh experienced the same treatment.
Burn marks disappeared.
Old bullet wounds closed.
Bruises vanished.
The signs of years spent as a prisoner were erased as though they had never existed.
Newcastle and Glasgow were restored as well.
All three stared at their hands.
"That's impossible..."
Glasgow flexed her fingers.
"All me injuries..."
Newcastle touched her face.
"They're gone."
Edinburgh slowly sat upright.
"I feel..."
She looked toward Belfast.
"Completely healthy."
Soda smiled.
"That's how we felt the first time too."
Ade nodded.
"We weren't even sure it was possible until we experienced it ourselves."
Cocoa smiled.
"Now you know."
The medical beds completed their treatment.
A notification appeared.
MEDICAL RESTORATION COMPLETE.
Soon, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle's clothing shifted back into their familiar maid uniforms.
Belfast and Arisa's Echo Suits did the same.
The three rescued sisters stared.
"Those suits are your clothes?!"
Ade nodded.
"Yes."
"Our Echo Suit Mark II is an advanced nanosuit that transforms into combat armor and synchronizes with our levels."
She tapped the suit.
"We can also save clothing as templates."
"The clothes we're wearing now are our normal uniforms."
Soda proudly added:
"And they clean themselves!"
She grinned.
"So we don't have to put them in the laundry!"
Edinburgh stared at Belfast.
Her sister was standing before her in the familiar Royal Navy maid uniform.
For a moment, Edinburgh simply smiled.
"Welcome back, sis."
Belfast looked at her.
"Bel..."
Edinburgh stepped forward.
"After all these years..."
She smiled.
"I'm really glad to see you wearing that again."
Newcastle stood up next.
Then Glasgow.
All three felt completely restored.
Prinz soon stepped away from her own medical bed.
She looked at her hands.
Then at her sisters from another world.
"I feel wonderful."
Akashi clapped her hands.
"Nyaa! Medical treatment successful!"
She turned toward the other two repair ships.
"Now it's your turn!"
Asahi and Kancolle Akashi exchanged glances before lying down on the medical beds.
GDI Akashi grinned.
"Don't worry, nyaa."
"It doesn't hurt at all."
She pointed toward the controls.
"Akashi will teach you two how to use this thing, nyaa!"
"Since you're going to be our doctors as well."
Kancolle Akashi looked fascinated.
"How many doctors are there in the GDI?"
Akashi began counting on her fingers.
"For Shipgirls, there's Vestal and me, nyaa."
"For the Nikkes, we have Mary and Pepper."
She pointed toward the two new repair ships.
"Then you and Asahi."
"Nyaa! Our doctor team is getting bigger!"
Asahi smiled.
"I see."
Akashi suddenly lowered her voice.
"Oh, and we have our Head Doctor."
Kancolle Akashi looked curious.
"Who?"
"The most intelligent doctor ever, nyaa."
Akashi's ears twitched.
"Kirino Yuu."
"GDI Head Doctor from Shikikan-sama's world."
Kancolle Akashi and Asahi exchanged glances.
Akashi continued.
"Don't mess with her."
"Or piss her off, nyaa."
She gave them a very serious look.
"Otherwise..."
She made a slicing motion with her hand.
"She'll dissect you, nyaa. She tried to dissect Akashi once, nyaa. Just to see what is in my ears and tail, nyaa."
Kancolle Akashi and Asahi immediately nodded.
"Understood."
"Absolutely."
Whatever this Kirino Yuu was...
Neither of them had any intention of becoming her next experiment.
Asahi gave Akashi a grateful smile.
"Thanks for the warning."
"Nyaa!"
Akashi smiled.
"You're welcome, Asahi-san!"
"Now, let's get you all fresh sets of clothes."
Belfast led the rescued Shipgirls toward the Orca Ex's shower facilities.
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Prinz, Asahi and Kancolle Akashi exchanged glances.
None of them could remember the last time they had taken a proper shower.
Not with warm water.
Not with clean facilities.
Not without having to worry about being interrupted by Rapture droids.
The moment the warm water touched them, Edinburgh nearly closed her eyes in disbelief.
"This feels..."
"Wonderful," Newcastle murmured.
Glasgow simply sighed in relief.
"A proper hot shower..."
For years, even basic comforts had become luxuries.
Now they could finally enjoy them again.
Once everyone had finished, Belfast brought them toward the clothing generator.
"Let's get you all properly outfitted."
The machine scanned each of them before producing completely new uniforms based on their original designs.
Fresh fabric.
Fresh accessories.
Everything clean and perfectly fitted.
At the same time, a small barber drone emerged.
"What's that?" Prinz asked.
"Hair restoration drone," Akashi explained. "It'll restore your hair to its original condition, nyaa."
The drone moved around them with mechanical precision.
Damaged hair was trimmed away.
Long hair was restored.
Knots and uneven sections disappeared.
Soon, the three Town-class maids once again looked like themselves.
Edinburgh touched her freshly restored hair.
She stared at her reflection.
For the first time in years...
She recognized herself.
Glasgow ran her fingers through her hair.
Newcastle smiled at her reflection.
Prinz looked equally amazed.
They had never felt this clean.
This healthy.
This... new.
Edinburgh slowly turned toward Belfast.
"Bel..."
Belfast looked at her.
"Edin?"
Edinburgh's voice trembled.
"This isn't a dream, right?"
She looked around the medical facility.
"We're not dead?"
Belfast's expression softened.
"No, Edin."
"It's real."
Edinburgh looked down at her hands.
"Then..."
She swallowed.
"We have a home, right?"
Her eyes began watering again.
"We don't have to run anymore?"
Belfast stepped closer.
"No."
She gently placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"We have a home."
Edinburgh looked at her.
"Our former base... It was upgraded and is now called the Citadel. It's the safest place on Earth, courtesy of our Commander."
Belfast smiled warmly.
"That's our new home now."
She looked toward Glasgow and Newcastle.
"All of us."
"Shipgirls."
"Nikkes."
"And our new Kancolle allies."
She smiled warmly.
"We're building a home together."
Edinburgh's eyes filled with tears.
For years, the word home had meant somewhere they had once lived.
Now, for the first time, it meant somewhere they could stay.
She hugged Belfast again.
"Thank you, Bel..."
Belfast returned the embrace.
"Welcome home, Edin."
==========
Ade, Soda, Cocoa and Arisa soon emerged from the showers as well, all wearing fresh clothes.
Belfast followed shortly after.
Without the Echo Suit and the grime of combat covering them, the five maids looked completely different.
They smelled fresh.
They looked rested.
And, more importantly, they finally looked like themselves again.
The rescued Shipgirls followed them toward the viewing area.
Then—
Six pairs of eyes widened.
Before them stood the Daedalus.
The enormous flying flagship hovered over the ocean, surrounded by the rest of the GDI Third Fleet.
Aircraft moved around its massive hull.
The sheer scale of the fleet left the rescued girls speechless.
GDI Akashi proudly raised her hand.
"Welcome to the GDI Third Fleet, nyaa!"
She pointed toward the enormous flagship.
"The Flying Flagship, Daedalus, nyaa!"
Kancolle Akashi's jaw dropped.
"That's our home?"
Akashi shook her head.
"Nyaa, no."
"That's our mission carrier."
She pointed toward the distant horizon.
"Our actual home is our former base."
She grinned.
"Bel-chan called it the Citadel just now."
Kancolle Akashi looked back toward the Daedalus.
"That's massive!"
She took several steps forward.
"That thing is massive!"
Her eyes darted across the enormous vessel.
"So many advanced technologies..."
"So many..."
She suddenly stopped moving.
Her eyes rolled upward.
And she simply collapsed while standing.
"Akashi!"
GDI Akashi immediately rushed over.
"Nyaa?! Is she okay, nyaa?!"
Asahi sighed.
"She's fine."
She looked toward the unconscious repair ship.
"She's a technology enthusiast."
GDI Akashi blinked.
"Really, nyaa?"
"Very much so."
Asahi smiled.
"She was fascinated by the existence of a toaster in our world."
She gestured toward the Daedalus.
"Now she's seeing something like that?"
She shook her head.
"Of course she would be overwhelmed."
GDI Akashi nodded solemnly.
"Nyaa..."
"Understandable."
But Kancolle Akashi wasn't the only one overwhelmed.
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle were staring at the Daedalus in complete disbelief.
This was the flagship of Belfast's new organization.
The organization that had rescued them.
The organization whose commander had called to them.
The organization that had sent Belfast and the others into the heart of a Rapture base just to bring them home.
Then Edinburgh noticed something on the hull.
A massive insignia.
The Diving Eagle.
Her eyes widened.
She had seen that symbol before.
On Belfast.
On Ade.
On Soda.
On Cocoa.
On Arisa.
The same imposing emblem that had appeared on their shoulder.
The same symbol that had terrified Leviathan.
The same symbol that Raptures and Sirens had begun learning to avoid.
Edinburgh slowly looked at Belfast.
"So that's..."
Belfast nodded.
"The GDI."
Glasgow stared at the massive flagship.
"Bel..."
"Aye?"
She swallowed.
"Ye really joined something this powerful?"
Belfast smiled.
"I told you."
She looked toward the Daedalus.
"We're no longer alone."
Newcastle quietly smiled.
"And neither are we."
Behind them, Kancolle Prinz Eugen looked at the massive flagship with a mixture of wonder and nervousness.
Asahi simply smiled.
Akashi remained unconscious on the floor.
GDI Akashi looked down at her counterpart.
"Nyaa..."
"Someone's going to have a very long day learning about GDI technology."
"Arent you like that when you arrived at the Home Island?" Belfast mused.
GDI Akashi's ears immediately flattened.
"Nyaa! Bel-chan, you don't have to mention that, nyaa!"
Belfast simply smiled.
Soon, the Orca Ex descended toward the landing pad.
The massive aircraft touched down smoothly, its engines gradually powering down.
The rear ramp opened.
Waiting beyond it were several familiar faces.
"Big sis Edin!"
"Big sis Newcastle!"
"Big sis Glasgow!"
A small figure immediately rushed toward them.
"Unicorn!"
Edinburgh ran forward and embraced the young carrier.
"Unicorn!"
Newcastle and Glasgow quickly joined the hug.
Unicorn squeezed all three of them tightly.
"You're really back!"
"We're back," Edinburgh whispered.
Unicorn smiled brightly.
"Elder Edinburgh."
Another familiar voice came from nearby.
Edinburgh turned.
"Centaur!"
Then she saw another figure.
"Albion!"
Her eyes widened even further.
Then she spotted the elegant carrier standing among the Shipgirls.
"Illustrious!"
Illustrious smiled warmly.
"Welcome home, Edinburgh."
"Edin!" Javelin shouted before running over and hugging her.
"Javelin!"
Edinburgh stared around the landing pad.
It wasn't only the Royal Navy.
There were Shipgirls from the Eagle Union.
Shipgirls from the Sakura Empire.
And even Shipgirls from Iron Blood.
So many familiar faces.
So many people that Belfast had found after joining the GDI.
People who had once been separated.
People who had been lost.
People who were now standing together.
Edinburgh slowly looked around in disbelief.
"This..."
She looked toward Belfast.
"All these Shipgirls..."
Belfast smiled.
"They're part of our fleet now."
The realization slowly settled in.
The commander hadn't simply rescued Belfast.
He hadn't simply given her the same uniform and a new organization.
He had gathered people.
Countless Shipgirls who had been scattered across different places and different circumstances.
He had given them somewhere to belong.
Nearby, Kancolle Akashi suddenly spotted two familiar figures.
"Mamiya!"
"Irako!"
She shouted their names.
Asahi, who had been standing beside her, immediately looked over.
"Mamiya! Irako!"
The two Sakura Empire support ships turned around.
Their eyes widened.
"Akashi?!"
They immediately recognized the repair ship.
But then they noticed the others standing beside her.
Asahi.
Prinz.
Mamiya's expression softened.
"So there really are more of you..."
Irako smiled.
"Welcome to the fleet."
Kancolle Akashi couldn't help smiling.
After years of isolation, captivity and uncertainty...
She was finally seeing people from her world again.
And Edinburgh looked toward the vast collection of Shipgirls gathered around them.
For years, she had wondered whether there was anyone left.
Whether there was somewhere she could belong.
Whether her sister was still alive.
Now she had her sister.
Her old friends.
New allies.
And an entire fleet waiting to welcome her.
Belfast stood beside her.
"Welcome home, Edin."
Edinburgh smiled.
"Yeah..."
She looked across the landing pad.
"I think I'm finally starting to believe it."
"A ten-tailed, purple-haired fox-eared beauty..."
Kancolle Akashi stared across the landing pad.
"I thought I had seen everything."
Her eyes moved toward Kaguya.
The Arcane Shipgirl stood calmly among the fleet, her ten magnificent tails flowing behind her.
Kancolle Akashi was already overwhelmed by the Daedalus.
Now she was discovering that the GDI had somehow managed to gather someone like that.
Then she noticed two more familiar faces.
Akagi.
Kaga.
Kancolle Akashi's eyes widened again.
"Wait..."
She looked between them.
"Those are Akagi and Kaga?"
The two Sakura Empire carriers looked back at her.
"Yes," Akagi replied.
Kancolle Akashi slowly shook her head.
"They're completely different from the Akagi and Kaga I know."
Asahi nodded.
"I was thinking the same thing."
Then came another surprise.
Shoukaku.
Zuikaku.
Hiryuu.
Souryuu.
The four carriers were equally different from the versions Kancolle Akashi and Asahi remembered.
Kancolle Akashi looked around in disbelief.
"Everyone here has a counterpart..."
"Yet somehow they're all different."
Asahi smiled.
"Different worlds. Different histories."
"Apparently."
Then Kancolle Akashi noticed another familiar face.
Houshou.
She stared.
"...Houshou?"
Houshou smiled gently.
"Yes?"
Kancolle Akashi blinked several times.
"The Houshou I knew was very motherly."
She looked Houshou up and down.
"But this Houshou is..."
She struggled to find the right words.
"...very different."
Asahi quietly nodded.
"Quite different."
Houshou merely laughed.
"I suppose every world has its own version of us."
Edinburgh had been looking around as well.
She recognized many names.
So many Shipgirls who used to be her allies.
Yet there was one she couldn't take her eyes off.
Kaguya.
Edinburgh stared at the ten-tailed fox-eared Shipgirl.
"I've seen Yorktown, Enterprise, Akagi and Kaga..."
She paused.
"But I've never seen anything like her before."
Belfast smiled.
"Everyone..."
She gestured toward the assembled Kancolle Shipgirls.
"This is Lady Yorktown."
"Our Acting Commander whenever Master is away."
Kancolle Akashi immediately turned.
"Wait."
"Yorktown?"
"Yorktown-class, Yorktown?"
Yorktown smiled.
"Yes."
Kancolle Akashi looked astonished.
"You're a different version of Yorktown."
Yorktown nodded her head.
"Am I different from the one you knew?"
Kancolle Akashi nodded.
"We never met her. We do have Hornet, though."
Enterprise, who had been standing nearby, raised an eyebrow.
"Kancolle Hornet..."
She smiled.
"How amusing."
Kancolle Akashi nodded.
"It really is."
Yorktown then gestured toward Kaguya.
"And this is Kaguya."
"An Arcane Shipgirl."
"She stands above the classifications of Priority and Decisive Shipgirls."
Kaguya smiled elegantly.
"Thou dost praise me, Yorktown."
Edinburgh's eyes widened, as did those of the recently rescued Kancolle Shipgirls.
"Another Arcane Shipgirl?!"
Everyone turned toward her.
Belfast immediately looked at her sister.
"Another?"
Kaguya's expression changed.
"Thou hast met another Arcane?"
Edinburgh nodded.
"Believe it or not, Bel..."
"An Arcane Shipgirl was the one who saved us."
The surrounding Shipgirls became quiet.
"She put us on that island."
"She was also the one who found Prinz Eugen, Akashi and Asahi."
"She brought them to us."
Edinburgh frowned as she tried to remember.
"We don't remember her name."
Kaguya stepped closer.
"Canst thou describe her?"
Edinburgh thought carefully.
"Long white hair."
"Red eyes."
"She wore a Northern Parliament hat."
"And a white Northern coat. Similar to Lützow's."
Kaguya's eyes widened.
"No..."
Her voice became quiet.
"It cannot be..."
Akagi noticed the sudden change in her expression.
"Kaguya-nee?"
"You know her?"
Kaguya slowly looked toward Edinburgh.
"Was she a healer?"
Edinburgh nodded.
"Yes."
"She helped heal us."
Kaguya's expression became increasingly serious.
"Didst thou witness anything else?"
Edinburgh thought for a moment.
"Other than her ship cannons..."
"We saw her transform."
"Into a cruiser."
"A destroyer."
"A battleship."
"And even a carrier."
Kaga's eyes widened.
"Just like you, Kaguya-nee."
Kaguya didn't answer.
Edinburgh continued.
"Her magic..."
"She used some kind of blue wire weapons when she saved the Kancolle Shipgirls and entrusted them to us."
"She could manipulate those wires into different weapons."
"We even saw her create something like an eagle from the wires."
"She used it to attack an entire Siren fleet."
Everyone fell silent.
Even the veteran Shipgirls looked impressed.
Kancolle Akashi stared at Edinburgh.
"One Shipgirl fought an entire Siren fleet?"
Edinburgh nodded.
"Alone."
Kaguya slowly closed her eyes.
"Ah..."
Her tails became still.
"This wife knows of her."
Everyone looked toward her.
Kaguya opened her eyes.
"The Arcane Shipgirls of the North do not classify themselves as we do."
"We use heavenly beasts and yokai to define our Arcane classifications."
"The North uses another system."
"Star Mages."
She paused.
"Ten stars represents the highest level."
Kaguya looked toward the horizon.
"And the woman thou hast described..."
"She is an Arcane Shipgirl of the North."
Kancolle Akashi leaned forward.
"How many stars?"
Kaguya's expression became solemn.
"Four."
The others exchanged glances.
"Four-star mage?"
Kaguya nodded.
Then she spoke the name.
"Irisviel."
"Let us discuss it during dinner."
Kaguya placed a hand dramatically against her chest.
"It's a shame mine dearest couldn't join us. This wife is sad."
She immediately put on an exaggerated crying expression.
Akagi and Kaga exchanged glances.
"Here we go again."
"Come on, Kaguya-nee."
They each grabbed one of her arms and began pulling her away.
"Ah! This wife is being dragged away."
Yorktown clapped her hands.
"All right, everyone. Let's get our new additions to dinner first and let them rest."
The fleet was currently on standby, awaiting the return of the western rescue team. The AC-130 escort carrying Yuuki and the others was already making its way back.
Yorktown walked alongside Belfast.
"Good work, Bel."
"You rescued your sisters and the Kancolle Shipgirls."
Belfast smiled softly.
"'Tis nothing but a good day's work, Hana."
She glanced toward Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.
"To have my sisters with me once more..."
"That is a blessing."
Edinburgh, however, had been watching her sister carefully.
She leaned closer.
"Bel."
"Yes, Edin?"
"You seemed to have a very soft smile when you spoke to the commander earlier."
Belfast blinked.
"Is there something going on?"
A few nearby Shipgirls immediately became interested. Those who knew just looks away.
Belfast sighed.
"I'm Master's personal maid, Edin."
She paused.
"Besides..."
"Master is already aware of the feelings many Shipgirls have for him."
Edinburgh's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Yes."
Belfast touched her chest.
"The Wisdom Cubes became connected to him."
"We don't know exactly why."
"But somehow, he became a source of warmth and light to us during these desperate times."
She looked at her sister.
"Including me."
"Can you feel it, Edin?"
"The happiness..."
"The hope..."
"When you hear his voice?"
Edinburgh became quiet.
She remembered the moment on the submarine.
The moment she heard that voice.
The voice belonging to the commander Belfast had spoken about.
She had felt something.
A sudden warmth.
A strange happiness.
A feeling that everything was going to be all right.
She hadn't understood why.
She didn't even know him yet but, she felt like she knew him a long time ago.
Now she wondered if this was the reason so many Shipgirls had gathered around him.
"I..."
Edinburgh looked down.
"I think I understand."
Kaguya suddenly walked past them being dragged by Akagi and Kaga.
"Is that Kaguya..."
"The Master's wife?"
Belfast immediately shook her head.
"Ah, no."
"She merely declared herself."
Despite repeated reminders from everyone else.
Kaguya turned around.
"Not yet, at least! This wife still needs his official stamp!"
Yorktown sighed.
"The position is reserved for Yorktown here."
Belfast smiled as Yorktown blushed.
"Until she is safely married to Master, none of us will make any moves."
She paused.
"Besides..."
"I've already booked the second-wife position."
Yorktown's eyes widened.
"Bel!"
Illustrious sighed.
"Bel is surprisingly fast."
"A maid has her pride to be part of her master's life."
Edinburgh stared at her sister.
She genuinely didn't know what to say.
Belfast quickly raised a hand.
"Don't misunderstand, Edin."
"Master isn't some kind of womanizer."
She smiled.
"He's actually surprisingly cautious. Extremely kind."
"A man of strong faith and discipline."
"And extremely fair."
"Because of that, none of us feel any reason to become envious or jealous."
She tapped her chest.
"We can feel his heart."
"So if he were ever to lie to us..."
"We'd know."
"All of us."
Glasgow raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't that like having a prison with dozens of guards?"
Several Shipgirls laughed.
Belfast considered it.
"Perhaps."
"But Master is surprisingly good at weaseling his way out of trouble."
She shook her head.
"He doesn't lie."
"He just runs."
That earned another round of laughter.
"He can be a gentleman when needed."
Belfast sighed.
"But sometimes he's a barbaric caveman of a weasel."
Yorktown nodded solemnly.
"You're right about that, Bel."
She rubbed her forehead.
"Maybe we really do need Amagi and Hood to keep an eye on him."
"He is the High Commander of the GDI itself."
"Smart."
"Frightening."
"Strong."
"Powerful."
She paused.
"And somehow..."
"A lazy potato at times."
The surrounding Shipgirls burst into laughter.
Even Belfast couldn't suppress her smile.
Yorktown sighed.
"He's our commander."
She shook her head affectionately.
"Someone has to keep him out of trouble."
"Bulins!"
A familiar cry suddenly came from the crowd.
The Bulin sisters came rushing over and immediately surrounded the newly arrived Shipgirls.
"Buli-buli!"
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle could hardly contain their emotions.
More familiar faces.
More old allies.
People they had once believed were gone forever.
Edinburgh hugged one of the Bulins tightly.
"I can't believe you're here..."
The three Bulin sisters happily squeezed her back.
For the three Town-class sisters, every reunion felt almost unreal.
They had spent years believing so many of their friends had been lost.
Yet one after another, those faces kept appearing.
Then Edinburgh noticed two more familiar figures.
"Sandy..."
"Eldridge..."
Both were alive.
Edinburgh stared in disbelief.
"I thought..."
She couldn't finish.
Sandy gave her usual cheerful smile.
"Surprise!"
Eldridge simply raised her hand.
"Commander saved us."
Edinburgh's eyes began watering again.
Then Javelin stepped forward.
"And Nimi is alive too!"
Edinburgh turned.
"Nimi?"
Javelin nodded happily.
"Z23 was recovered from headquarters."
"She was revived, but apparently hadn't been activated yet."
Edinburgh stared.
"Revived?"
"Yes."
Javelin explained that Akashi and the Bulins had also been recovered and revived, but their activation codes had never been given to the commander. Instead, they had remained safely stored for years until the GDI was finally able to restore them.
Edinburgh looked around the room.
Sandy.
Eldridge.
Z23.
The Bulins.
Mamiya.
Irako.
All these people they had believed were lost.
They were here.
Alive.
Together.
She covered her mouth.
"All this time..."
Glasgow quietly smiled.
"We really did find everyone again."
Newcastle nodded.
"It feels like waking from a very long nightmare."
Across the dining hall, however, another discussion had already begun.
The Kancolle Shipgirls had attracted considerable attention.
Mamiya, Irako, Asahi, Kancolle Akashi and Prinz Eugen were surrounded by curious Shipgirls.
"So you really have counterparts?"
"Are there Kancolle versions of us?"
"Does your world have another Enterprise?"
"What about Hood?"
"What about Hipper?"
The questions kept coming.
Kancolle Akashi raised both hands.
"One at a time!"
She laughed.
"We can only confirm some of them."
She began listing the counterparts they knew.
"Kancolle Akagi."
"Kaga."
"Shoukaku."
"Zuikaku."
"Hiryuu."
"Souryuu."
"Hornet."
The surrounding Shipgirls exchanged fascinated looks.
The possibility of Meta counterparts had already been something they understood.
But now there was another possibility.
Their counterparts could exist in an entirely different world.
And perhaps there were even more out there.
Edinburgh looked toward Kancolle Akashi.
"So there could be another version of me?"
Akashi tilted her head.
"Possibly."
That answer somehow made the room even more curious.
Then dinner began.
And Edinburgh completely lost whatever dignity she had left.
The first plate disappeared.
Then the second.
Then another.
Glasgow wasn't far behind.
Newcastle was eating almost as enthusiastically.
Kancolle Akashi, Prinz and Asahi were equally amazed by the sheer variety of food available.
Mamiya and Irako had insisted on cooking for everyone.
Even though cat Akashi had repeatedly told them to rest.
"We're fine, Akashi," Mamiya insisted.
"We haven't cooked properly in years," Irako added.
"We want to polish our skills again."
Akashi sighed.
"Nyaa... fine."
The dining hall quickly became filled with laughter, conversation and the sounds of people enjoying a proper meal.
For Edinburgh, it was almost overwhelming.
She hadn't realized how hungry she had been until food was placed in front of her without restriction.
No rationing.
No fear.
No wondering whether there would be another meal tomorrow.
She looked around the table.
Her sisters were here.
Her friends were here.
The people she thought were dead were alive.
And she had a place to sit.
A place to eat.
A place to belong.
Then the conversation took another unexpected turn.
"Wait."
Edinburgh looked toward Javelin.
"You're the commander's fiancée?"
Javelin nodded proudly.
"Yep!"
Edinburgh nearly dropped her fork.
"You?"
"Me!"
Glasgow stared.
Newcastle blinked.
Prinz Eugen looked equally surprised.
Blücher and Lützow exchanged amused glances.
"You have a lot to learn," Blücher whispered to Prinz.
Prinz nodded nervously.
"I am beginning to realize that. Plus I didn't expect this world's Prinz Eugen is the commander's fiancée as well."
Then Edinburgh learned there wasn't merely one fiancée.
There were several.
Her expression became increasingly bewildered.
"How many...?"
Belfast simply smiled.
"Enough."
Edinburgh stared at her sister.
"Bel..."
Belfast laughed.
"Don't worry about it."
Across the table, Kancolle Akashi and Asahi exchanged glances.
Their curiosity about Yuuki had only increased.
He wasn't merely the commander responsible for the technology surrounding them.
He was apparently the person who had designed the systems that had saved them.
The person who had created the leveling system.
He is also co-developer alongside the person responsible for the medical technology that had completely restored their bodies.
The person who had somehow brought together Shipgirls, Nikkes and people from entirely different worlds.
And now they had learned that countless Shipgirls had placed their trust in him.
Kancolle Akashi leaned toward Asahi.
"I really want to meet this commander."
Asahi nodded.
"So do I."
Akashi's eyes sparkled.
"I especially want to ask him how he made all this technology!"
Asahi smiled.
"Perhaps save the questions until after he's finished his mission."
Akashi reluctantly nodded.
"Fine."
Then she looked toward the enormous dining hall.
"But I am definitely asking him."
For the first time since arriving in this strange world, the newly rescued Shipgirls could finally relax.
They had food.
They had friends.
They had family.
And soon...
They would finally meet the man who had made all of this possible.
Kaguya eventually joined Edinburgh and the other Shipgirls at the table.
She leaned forward, her ten tails gently swaying behind her.
"So, when was the last time thou saw Irisviel?"
Edinburgh thought back.
"A few months ago."
"She came and escorted Akashi, Prinz and Asahi."
"The Sirens were waiting for them to appear, but Irisviel ambushed the fleet before they could reach them."
Newcastle nodded.
"She claimed the Kancolle Shipgirls and escorted them to safety."
Glasgow added:
"She single-handedly handled the entire Siren fleet."
"That was the last time we saw her."
"We didn't even know her name until Lady Kaguya mentioned it."
"Irisviel..." Kaguya murmured.
Her expression became thoughtful.
"She was never a combatant."
"She is a medic and support Arcane."
"This wife once faced her."
Kaguya smiled.
"I admit, an offensive Arcane against a support Arcane is not exactly a fair duel."
"But we had fun."
"Two Arcanes exchanging abilities..."
"An offensive mage testing herself against a healer who was one of the Arcanes of the North."
Lützow looked surprised.
"This is the first time we've heard about her."
"It was a secret, Lützow-san."
Kaguya's expression became more serious.
"Not every member of the Northern Parliament knew about her."
"Nor did they know about the other Arcanes."
Kancolle Akashi tilted her head.
"Northern Parliament?"
Mamiya answered before Kaguya could.
"It's essentially the Soviet or Russian faction, Akashi."
"Oh."
Kancolle Akashi nodded.
She looked toward Kaguya.
"So Irisviel is still somewhere out there?"
"Perhaps."
Kaguya's eyes brightened.
"This wife was already excited after hearing about Yukime."
"And now Irisviel may be somewhere nearby..."
Her tails began swaying with renewed enthusiasm.
"I would very much like to see her again."
Yorktown, who had been listening from nearby, suddenly spoke.
"Couldn't you use your magic to find her?"
Kaguya froze.
"If she is still somewhere around this world..."
Yorktown smiled.
"You might be able to locate her."
The possibility struck Kaguya immediately.
Her ears perked up.
"Of course!"
She placed a hand against her chin.
"Why had this wife not considered that?"
She looked toward the others.
"I shall try after dinner."
Kaguya's expression softened.
"She may be living in seclusion."
"Perhaps she deliberately kept herself hidden."
"Perhaps she has no idea that we are searching for her."
She looked toward the assembled Shipgirls.
"But if Irisviel is still out there..."
"This wife will find her."
Kaguya smiled.
"And bring her here."
"To safety."
"To a home."
"Back to her fellow Arcanes."
She glanced toward Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.
"And perhaps..."
"Back to the people she once saved."
Edinburgh smiled quietly.
"I'd like that."
Glasgow nodded.
"Aye."
Newcastle smiled.
"After everything she's done for us..."
"She deserves a home too."
Kaguya's tails swayed happily.
"Then it is settled."
"This wife shall find Irisviel."
"Tell us more about her," Yorktown asked.
Kaguya's expression became thoughtful.
"Irisviel von Einzbern."
The name immediately drew the attention of the surrounding Shipgirls.
"She hid herself within the von Einzbern family in the Northern Parliament."
"She secretly assisted Shipgirls whenever she could."
Kaguya lowered her voice.
"Very few knew she existed."
"Only Arcanes can naturally detect other Arcanes. That is why she was able to remain hidden for so long."
Edinburgh listened carefully.
"So she was living among the Northern Parliament this entire time?"
"Yes."
Kaguya nodded.
"Arcane Shipgirls are created with a particular purpose."
"To assist the region to which they are assigned."
"To protect its people."
"To aid their nations."
She paused.
"But there is one rule that must never be broken."
The surrounding Shipgirls became quiet.
"Should nations go to war..."
Kaguya's expression turned solemn.
"Arcane Shipgirls must never be used against one another."
Lützow nodded slowly.
"So even if their nations become enemies..."
"The Arcanes remain outside that conflict," Kaguya answered.
"They are guardians, not weapons to be turned against their own kind."
Yorktown looked thoughtful.
"That explains why she could remain hidden even within the Northern Parliament."
"She wasn't there to fight anyone."
"She was there to help."
"Exactly."
Kaguya looked down at her tea.
"This wife only hopes she still lives."
Her ears lowered slightly.
"Or that she did not end up captured."
Edinburgh's expression softened.
"If she survived all those years..."
She smiled faintly.
"Then perhaps she'll survive long enough for us to find her."
Kaguya looked toward Edinburgh.
"Perhaps."
Yorktown smiled.
"Then after dinner, we'll search."
Kaguya's tails slowly began to sway again.
"Yes."
Her eyes regained their determination.
"This wife will find Irisviel."
"And if she is still alone..."
She smiled.
"We shall give her a home."
==============
Soon, the AC-130 arrived first.
After nearly an hour of flight, the massive gunship descended toward the Daedalus and landed smoothly on the carrier's flight deck.
The moment its landing gear touched down, maintenance drones immediately surrounded it.
"Aircraft secured."
The drones began their work.
Its wings folded inward, the engines were placed into a cooling cycle, and the gunship was carefully guided toward the designated cooling zone before being moved into storage.
The ten elite squadron firehawks landed on their landing zone.
Soon, three Barracuda bombers dispatched from before landed as well.
The western rescue team wasn't far behind.
The Orca Ex soon appeared on the horizon before descending toward the Daedalus.
The rear ramp opened.
"We're home!"
Neon's voice echoed across the deck.
She barely had time to celebrate before—
THUMP!
Nimi smacked her on the head.
"Be quiet!"
Nimi glared at her.
"The sea could hear you scream!"
Neon rubbed her head.
"Ah..."
"I am being bullied."
"Serves you right," Anis replied.
Rapi could only sigh.
Pepper and Mary followed behind them, with Nayuta walking alongside the returning team.
Most of them were visibly happy.
The operation had been a success.
Their efforts had also been rewarded by the system.
Those who had participated in the Exia Island operation had reached Level 34, including Nayuta.
Yorktown had reached Level 36 after receiving additional experience from supporting Belfast's mission and the Exia Island.
The Shipgirls who had participated directly in the volcano island and stowaway operations had likewise reached Level 36, including Belfast, Ade, Soda and Cocoa.
Kaguya was also Level 36.
Illustrious and Houshou had reached Level 33.
Meanwhile, those who hadn't participated in either operation remained at Level 31.
The system had also awarded the participants of the Exia Island operation a special achievement medal:
Exia Island Medal.
Another limited achievement commemorating their successful operation.
But the returning Nikkes and Shipgirls had little time to think about levels and medals.
Because the moment they entered the Daedalus's airspace...
They were stunned.
Ludmilla stared through the window.
"That is..."
Alice pressed her face closer to the glass.
"So big!"
Neve and Tove were equally speechless.
Even Kashima and Katori couldn't hide their astonishment.
They had already been amazed by the Orca Ex.
Then they saw the AC-130.
And now...
The Daedalus.
The sheer scale of the flying flagship was difficult to comprehend.
The carrier seemed less like a ship and more like an entire floating city.
"Welcome to the Daedalus, Ludmilla, Alice, Neve and Tove."
Ludmilla slowly looked around.
"I still can't believe how big this place is."
She paused.
"And this isn't even our home yet."
The Orca Ex eventually descended toward the landing deck.
As the ramp opened, the newcomers stepped out.
Then—
"Kashima-san!"
"Katori-san!"
Kashima's eyes widened.
Standing before her were three familiar faces.
Akashi.
Asahi.
Prinz Eugen.
"No way!"
"Kashima!"
Kashima immediately ran toward them and hugged her Kancolle allies.
"We found you!"
Akashi happily hugged her back.
"Nyaa!"
Asahi smiled warmly.
"It's good to see you again."
Prinz Eugen smiled shyly.
"I'm glad you're safe."
Katori approached them with tears in her eyes.
"You're really here..."
Kashima finally released them.
Then she spotted two more familiar figures.
"Mamiya-san!"
"Irako-san!"
Mamiya turned around.
"Kashima!"
Kashima immediately ran over and hugged the two cooks.
Irako laughed as she returned the embrace.
"We were wondering when we'd see you again."
Katori smiled as she joined them.
For the Kancolle Shipgirls, the Daedalus wasn't merely an impossibly advanced carrier anymore.
It was becoming a place filled with familiar faces.
A place where people they had lost were waiting for them.
And for the first time since being stranded in this strange world...
They were beginning to feel that perhaps they truly had found somewhere they could call home.
"Welcome, nyaa!"
Cat Akashi happily greeted the returning Nikkes and the two Kancolle Shipgirls.
"Akashi!"
Kashima immediately greeted her.
Cat Akashi's ears perked up.
"Nyaa!"
Pink-haired Akashi looked between them with curiosity.
"Oh, you already knew the cat version of me?"
Katori smiled.
"We've been here for a few years."
"We know the credit-loving and rather... scammer-like Akashi."
"That's rude, nyaa!"
Cat Akashi puffed up her cheeks.
"Akashi is not a scammer, nyaa!"
Kashima laughed.
"We missed you, Akashi."
"Both Akashis."
"Nyaa!"
Cat Akashi happily hugged Kashima.
Pink-haired Akashi smiled.
"I missed you two as well."
Nearby, a familiar voice called out.
"Tallin!"
Ludmilla, Alice, Tove and Neve immediately rushed toward Lützow.
"Tallin!"
Lützow's eyes widened before she smiled.
"Everyone..."
The four Northern allies embraced her.
Like Avrora, Lützow was one of the Northern allies they had desperately missed.
"It's good to see you again," Lützow said warmly.
Then another reunion was happening nearby.
"Neon!"
Laffey rushed forward and hugged her.
"Good job."
Neon grinned.
"That was an intense fight."
Nimi immediately corrected her.
"You screamed the whole time."
Neon looked offended.
"I did not!"
Nimi stared at her.
"You absolutely did."
Neon paused.
"...Okay, maybe a little."
Then she gave a thumbs-up.
"But I had fun!"
Ayanami, Javelin, Unicorn and even Sandy soon joined the group.
The reunion quickly became a lively gathering.
"Oh, the Unlimited gang is here."
Emma walked over alongside Eunhwa and Vesti.
Velvet and Privaty followed behind them.
Ludmilla's eyes widened.
"Emma!"
She immediately ran toward her old friend and embraced her.
"You're alive!"
Emma smiled as she hugged her back.
"It's good to see you too, Milla."
Ludmilla pulled back, still smiling.
"I've missed you."
Then Alice spotted Vesti.
"Vesti!"
She ran over and hugged her.
Neve and Tove followed.
Vesti smiled warmly.
"You're all here..."
Alice nodded happily.
"We're home."
Ludmilla glanced toward Eunhwa.
"It seems Eunhwa is still as grumpy as ever."
Eunhwa folded her arms.
"Hey to you too, Milla."
She sighed.
"Still as cheeky as before."
Ludmilla grinned.
"Of course."
Eunhwa then looked toward Rapi.
"Welcome home, bestie."
Rapi smiled.
"Yeah."
"It's good to be home."
The word seemed to linger for a moment.
Home.
Belfast then gently pulled Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle toward another group.
"Come along, sisters."
She gestured toward two Nikkes.
"This is Privaty and Velvet."
"They're Nikke maids, like Cocoa, Ade and Soda."
"They're now part of the Royal Maids."
Privaty immediately gave a polite bow.
"Ah, pleased to meet everyone."
Velvet gave them a bright grin.
"Yohoo!"
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle exchanged glances.
Another group of people.
Another set of allies.
Another family to meet.
Edinburgh smiled.
"Welcome to the Royal Maids."
Privaty straightened proudly.
"Thank you."
Velvet grinned even wider.
"I think we're going to get along just fine!"
Another group soon disembarked from the Orca Ex.
Avrora walked alongside Pallada and Diana.
The moment Pallada and Diana spotted Lützow, their eyes widened.
"Tallin!"
They immediately ran toward her.
Lützow barely had time to react before both Northern Shipgirls threw their arms around her.
"Tallin!"
"I'm so glad you're here!"
Lützow smiled and hugged them both.
"I'm glad you're safe too."
Around them, more Northern Parliament Nikkes and Shipgirls began gathering, turning the landing area into another reunion.
Then another group arrived.
Eugen and Hipper walked alongside Bismarck and Tirpitz.
The moment Bismarck and Tirpitz spotted Friedrich, they immediately ran toward her.
"Mother!"
"We're home!"
Friedrich opened her arms.
"Come here."
Both girls embraced her tightly.
"Shhh..."
"You came home."
"That is what matters."
She gently held them both.
Bismarck eventually pulled away and looked around.
"You even have Mecklenburg and Hindenburg."
"Yes," Tirpitz replied.
"They protected me."
Friedrich smiled.
"I'm glad."
Nearby, Blücher and Hipper had already noticed Prinz.
Blücher gently pulled the shy Shipgirl forward.
"Come on."
"Let's introduce you properly."
She brought Prinz toward Eugen and Hipper.
"This is our new sister."
Eugen's eyes immediately lit up.
"Hoo..."
"So this is the other me."
She looked Prinz over.
Her counterpart was considerably more reserved.
Timid.
Soft-spoken.
And apparently very easy to embarrass.
Eugen's smile became mischievous.
"Eep..."
Prinz immediately bowed.
"Greeting, elder sisters."
"I am Prinz Eugen of Germany."
"Prinz will be fine."
Hipper slowly approached her.
Prinz shyly looked up.
"Greetings, Elder Sister Hipper."
Hipper smiled warmly.
"You don't know how long I've waited for this."
She immediately embraced Prinz.
Prinz froze for a moment before slowly returning the hug.
Blücher grinned.
"See?"
"Prinz is Hipper's ideal little sister."
Lützow nodded.
"Indeed."
Eugen suddenly placed a hand against her chest dramatically.
"Ah, how cruel."
"My own sister has forgotten poor old Eugen."
Hipper sighed.
"I haven't forgotten you."
"At least this one respects her elder sister."
Eugen grinned.
"And she's not a flat chopping board like Hipper here."
"Hey!"
Hipper's expression immediately darkened.
"Eugen..."
Prinz looked between them nervously.
"Eep..."
Hipper sighed before gently placing a hand on Prinz's shoulder.
"Don't worry."
"I'll protect you from her."
"Elder sister..."
Blücher nodded.
"We'll watch over you."
Lützow smiled.
"As will I."
Eugen's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Although..."
She leaned toward Prinz.
"As long as I can play with those—"
"Eep!"
"No."
Hipper immediately pulled Eugen away.
"Absolutely not."
"But she's me!"
Eugen protested.
"She's the other me!"
She pointed toward Prinz.
"A shy and easily teased version of me!"
"Eep..."
Prinz hid slightly behind Hipper.
Eugen laughed.
"This is going to be fun."
Hipper groaned.
"Eugen..."
"You can't protect her forever, sis."
Eugen wiggled her fingers mischievously, grinning at Prinz.
Then a deep, gentle voice came from behind them.
"Ah."
"The children have gathered."
Everyone turned.
Friedrich approached them.
Bismarck gestured toward her.
"Prinz, this is Friedrich der Große."
"Our mother ship."
Behind Friedrich stood Hindenburg and Mecklenburg.
"And these are Hindenburg and Mecklenburg."
Prinz looked at the gathered Iron Blood Shipgirls.
She then noticed Bismarck.
"That's our leader, Bismarck."
"And her sister, Tirpitz."
Bismarck nodded.
"Indeed."
Prinz stared at her.
"Frau Bismarck?"
She tilted her head.
"You look different."
Bismarck smiled.
"I suppose I have a counterpart as well."
Prinz nodded.
"Even Frau Tirpitz."
Tirpitz looked the Kancolle Prinz Eugen her counterpart with quiet curiosity.
"So many differences..."
Nimi stepped forward.
"This is Nimi."
She gave Prinz a small wave.
"Welcome."
Prinz smiled.
"Nice to meet you."
She looked around again.
So many people.
So many allies.
They weren't all from her world.
They weren't even all Iron Blood.
But somehow...
They were all connected.
Then her eyes returned to Friedrich.
"Mother...?"
The word came out almost unconsciously.
Eugen smiled.
"She's our matriarch."
"Our mother."
Friedrich's expression softened.
"Another world may have brought you here."
"But a child is still a child of Iron Blood."
Prinz's eyes immediately filled with tears.
She had never had a mother figure.
Not like this.
In her world, she had been a Shipgirl surrounded by comrades, but there had never been someone who simply looked at her and called her a child.
Someone who welcomed her without hesitation.
Prinz suddenly stepped forward and hugged Friedrich tightly.
"Mother..."
Friedrich gently embraced her.
"Welcome home, child."
Prinz began to cry.
For the first time since arriving in this unfamiliar world...
She finally felt what it meant to have a family waiting for her.
Even Pink-haired Akashi and Asahi couldn't hold back their tears.
They approached Houshou alongside Katori and Kashima.
"Houshou-san..."
Houshou opened her arms.
The four of them immediately embraced her.
For Pink Akashi and Asahi, something about this Houshou felt completely different from the one they knew.
Their Houshou was older.
Experienced.
A dependable senior and an older sister to many.
But this Houshou...
She carried something deeper.
A quiet warmth.
A gentle presence.
The unmistakable aura of a mother.
Katori buried her face against Houshou's shoulder.
Kashima's eyes were wet as she held onto her.
Pink Akashi quietly cried as well.
Asahi smiled through her tears.
"This..."
She whispered.
"She's like a mother."
Houshou gently stroked their hair.
"You've all been through so much."
"You're safe now."
Her words were simple.
But somehow, they were exactly what the young Shipgirls had needed to hear.
Even the Arcane Shipgirl like Kaguya regarded Houshou with a particular fondness.
Kaguya stood nearby, watching the reunion with a soft smile.
Some Shipgirls needed a commander.
Some needed a sister.
Some needed a friend.
And some simply needed someone who could make them feel like children again.
Houshou seemed to possess that rare quality naturally.
===================
Then Wales slowly led another group onto the deck.
Beside her walked her eldest sister, King George V, whom everyone simply called Georgina.
York, Howe and Anson followed behind them.
Anson's eyes immediately widened.
"Whoa!"
She looked across the enormous flight deck.
"This place is huge!"
She turned in every direction, practically bouncing with excitement.
"How did lord commander even make this thing fly?"
A maintenance drone passed nearby.
Anson's eyes followed it.
"Ooh!"
She immediately started after it.
"Anson."
Howe calmly grabbed the back of her collar.
"Behave."
"But it was moving!"
"It's a maintenance drone."
"I know!"
"Then stop chasing it."
Anson pouted but reluctantly stopped.
Duke of York stepped onto the deck and took a slow breath.
"The air is quite refreshing."
Then her eyes widened.
She spotted familiar faces scattered across the deck.
"Sister Georgina!"
Unicorn immediately ran toward King George V.
"Unicorn!"
Georgina smiled and opened her arms.
The two embraced warmly.
Anson looked around.
"Illustrious!"
She spotted the elegant carrier.
"Javelin!"
"Belfast!"
Then she noticed the other familiar Royal Navy Shipgirls.
"Centaur!"
"Albion!"
Howe looked across the deck.
"Hoh..."
"Even Enterprise is here."
Enterprise turned toward her.
"You sound as though I'm a nuisance."
Howe smirked.
"Pff."
"Old rival indeed, Grey Ghost."
Enterprise smiled.
"Good to see you too, Howe."
Meanwhile, Duke of York had already approached Yorktown.
"Ho..."
"Fancy seeing thee again, Hana."
Yorktown smiled.
"Yes."
"It's been a while."
Duke of York suddenly pulled her into a hug.
"This one wondered if thou hast grown fat all of a sudden."
Yorktown's cheeks puffed up.
"Rude!"
"I've been maintaining myself perfectly well."
Duke of York grinned.
"Oh?"
"For that sinful commander?"
Yorktown immediately looked away.
"..."
Duke of York raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
"Where is that sly snake?"
She glanced around.
"Suddenly leaving in the middle of a flight."
"Leaving his maidens behind."
Yorktown sighed.
"He's looking for Sheffield and the others."
"Apparently Rapture droids were attacking the town where they were hiding."
Duke of York nodded.
"Ah."
Then a familiar voice came from behind her.
"Speak of the devil."
"Thou still livest, York."
Kaguya stood nearby, her ten tails gently swaying.
Duke of York turned toward her.
"Kaguya."
Her expression immediately became competitive.
"Do not think this one will lose again."
Kaguya smiled.
"With thy puny magic?"
Duke of York's fists clenched.
"Rude!"
"Thou hast more magic than me!"
"If this one were an Arcane, it would be a fair duel!"
She shook her fists indignantly.
Kaguya's ears perked up.
"Ohoho..."
"Perhaps one day, York-san."
She smiled teasingly.
"Thou could become a decent mage."
Duke of York narrowed her eyes.
"Decent?"
"Decent?!"
Yorktown watched the two of them.
She already knew where this was going.
"Kaguya..."
But Kaguya simply smiled.
Duke of York looked toward her own hands.
"One day."
She pointed at Kaguya.
"This one shall challenge thee properly."
Kaguya laughed softly.
"I shall be waiting."
Yorktown sighed.
She had expected Duke of York to be fascinated by the Daedalus.
She had expected her to be happy about seeing everyone again.
What she hadn't expected was for York to discover that her old friend Kaguya was an Arcane Shipgirl...
And immediately decide she wanted to challenge her.
Apparently, the promise of learning magic was enough to awaken an entirely new rivalry.
With Yuu's project, that would soon be possible. York already knew a little magic due to her elven heritage, which meant Albion, Centaur and York—along with Mecklenburg and Hindenburg—possessed small magical heritage. She could already imagine Yuu kidnapping them all to use as research subjects.
============
Yorktown watched the growing gathering from a short distance away.
She smiled.
"Our family is getting bigger every day."
Kaguya stood beside her, her ten tails gently swaying.
"Indeed..."
She looked across the landing deck.
So many worlds.
So many factions.
So many people who had once been separated.
Now standing together.
Kaguya placed a hand against her chest.
"Thou started it all, Hana-san."
Her expression became sincere.
"This one thanks thee."
Yorktown smiled.
"I didn't do it alone."
She looked toward the Daedalus.
"Commander gave us the means."
"And everyone else helped build what we have now."
Kaguya nodded.
"Perhaps."
She smiled softly.
"But someone had to take the first step."
Around them, laughter and conversation continued.
Edinburgh was reunited with her sisters.
Prinz had found a mother.
Kashima and Asahi had found counterparts and old friends.
Ludmilla's group had found Tallin and Avrora.
And countless Shipgirls who had once thought themselves alone were discovering something they had never expected to find in this strange world.
A family.
A home.
A place where they could finally belong.
And then there was the person who had made all of this possible.
Yorktown's eyes drifted upward toward the massive GDI crest emblazoned across the tower of the Daedalus.
The Diving Eagle.
That imposing symbol had become more than the emblem of an organization.
It was the symbol that had brought them all together.
Shipgirls from different worlds.
Nikkes.
Maids.
Arcanes.
People who had once been lost, scattered or forgotten.
All of them now had somewhere to belong.
Kaguya noticed Yorktown's distant expression.
"Missing our dearest?"
Yorktown smiled softly.
"You have no idea."
Her eyes remained fixed on the crest.
"That man..."
"He always manages to make us miss him."
Kaguya chuckled.
"And yet, somehow, he keeps making all of this possible."
"I just want to see him as soon as possible," Yorktown admitted.
"Thou art not the only one, Hana."
Before Yorktown could respond—
"Mom!"
Neon raised her hand.
"I'm hungry!"
Anis grinned beside her.
The entire returning team was beginning to realize just how hungry they were after their mission.
Yorktown laughed.
"All right, all right."
"Let's get everyone something to eat."
The new Shipgirls and Nikkes followed as Yorktown began leading them toward the dining hall.
The Daedalus quickly filled with the sounds of conversation, laughter and hungry newcomers discovering that their new home had more than enough food for everyone.
Kaguya, however, remained behind.
She stepped onto the balcony overlooking the massive carrier.
Her expression became serious.
The wind brushed against her hair as she closed her eyes.
Her ten tails slowly spread behind her.
She extended her senses.
Far beyond the Daedalus.
Beyond the fleet.
Beyond the surrounding waters.
She searched through the subtle traces of Arcane energy that lingered across the world.
Nothing.
Kaguya concentrated harder.
"Iris..."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Where art thou?"
She remained perfectly still.
Searching.
Hoping.
Waiting for even the faintest response.
"Please..."
"Still be out there."